Robert Ferringo
5-Unit Play. Take #512 Miami (-5) over Atlanta (8 p.m., Friday, January 14)
The Heat have been one of the best home teams in the NBA this year with a 12-4 record and they just played in Atlanta on Wednesday and hammered the Hawks 115-91 so this one could be win number 4 in a row for Miami. This is the first of four straight home games for the Heat, and they deserve some home cooking after seven roadies in a row. Miami is absolutely a contender this season and they have not been at full strength for much of it so look when they get all their guys back so go ahead and take them tonight with no worries at all.
1-Unit Play. Take #504 Detroit (+8.5) over Toronto (7 p.m., Friday, Jan. 14)
Toronto has had the most favorable schedule in the NBA over the last two months. The Raptors have only played on the road three times since Thanksgiving. Three times! Needless to say, the role of large road favorite is not one that I expect them to wear well this evening. They have lost three of their last four road games, including blowout losses at Indiana and at Cleveland. Detroit is a trash pile. But they were humiliated in their last game at Chicago and I have to expect a stronger effort in front of the home crowd here.
2-Unit Play. Take #508 Philadelphia (-3.5) over Boston (7 p.m., Friday, Jan. 14)
These are two of the most mentally fragile teams in the NBA. I'll go with the home team, though. Philadelphia has dominated at home over the last several years and they have quietly started to play better of late, winning seven of eight. They tripped up against Charlotte earlier this week (the Hornets shot 52 percent in that game) and I don't see the 76ers losing back-to-back games at home.
1-Unit Play. Take #510 Chicago (-4) over Golden State (7:40 p.m., Frida, Jan. 14)
Maybe Klay Thompson should get hurt again. The Warriors have fallen apart over the last week-plus, losing four of hteir last five games. That includes some ugly losses at Dallas, Memphis and Milwaukee. Chicago is coming off a frustrating home loss to Brooklyn and they should be primed for a bounce back. I think this game means more to the Bulls, who are trying to establish themselves at the top of the East. I expect one of their best efforts here.
2-Unit Play. Take #518 Memphis (-2.5) over Dallas (10 p.m., Friday, Jan. 14)
Godless killing machine.
Carpe diem. Good luck.
5-Unit Play. Take #512 Miami (-5) over Atlanta (8 p.m., Friday, January 14)
The Heat have been one of the best home teams in the NBA this year with a 12-4 record and they just played in Atlanta on Wednesday and hammered the Hawks 115-91 so this one could be win number 4 in a row for Miami. This is the first of four straight home games for the Heat, and they deserve some home cooking after seven roadies in a row. Miami is absolutely a contender this season and they have not been at full strength for much of it so look when they get all their guys back so go ahead and take them tonight with no worries at all.
1-Unit Play. Take #504 Detroit (+8.5) over Toronto (7 p.m., Friday, Jan. 14)
Toronto has had the most favorable schedule in the NBA over the last two months. The Raptors have only played on the road three times since Thanksgiving. Three times! Needless to say, the role of large road favorite is not one that I expect them to wear well this evening. They have lost three of their last four road games, including blowout losses at Indiana and at Cleveland. Detroit is a trash pile. But they were humiliated in their last game at Chicago and I have to expect a stronger effort in front of the home crowd here.
2-Unit Play. Take #508 Philadelphia (-3.5) over Boston (7 p.m., Friday, Jan. 14)
These are two of the most mentally fragile teams in the NBA. I'll go with the home team, though. Philadelphia has dominated at home over the last several years and they have quietly started to play better of late, winning seven of eight. They tripped up against Charlotte earlier this week (the Hornets shot 52 percent in that game) and I don't see the 76ers losing back-to-back games at home.
1-Unit Play. Take #510 Chicago (-4) over Golden State (7:40 p.m., Frida, Jan. 14)
Maybe Klay Thompson should get hurt again. The Warriors have fallen apart over the last week-plus, losing four of hteir last five games. That includes some ugly losses at Dallas, Memphis and Milwaukee. Chicago is coming off a frustrating home loss to Brooklyn and they should be primed for a bounce back. I think this game means more to the Bulls, who are trying to establish themselves at the top of the East. I expect one of their best efforts here.
2-Unit Play. Take #518 Memphis (-2.5) over Dallas (10 p.m., Friday, Jan. 14)
Godless killing machine.
Carpe diem. Good luck.
